In this episode of What's Going on With Shipping?, host Sal Mercogliano sits down with Samir Madani, Co-Founder of TankerTrackers.com, to analyze real-time maritime intelligence and determine the true state of global crude and refined product flows. With escalating tensions across critical maritime choke points—from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea—separating headline noise from actual AIS and satellite tracking data is more vital than ever. Samir breaks down how dark fleets operate, how tanker traffic is really moving, and what the numbers reveal about global energy security. Key Discussion Points & Takeaways: ⚓The Reality of Global Choke Points: An in-depth look at vessel movements through critical bottlenecks like the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Suez Canal. ⚓Behind the Data with TankerTrackers: How satellite imagery, AIS tracking, and proprietary intelligence decode real oil shipments vs. phantom movements. ⚓Dark Fleets & Sanctions Evasion: How crude continues to move through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, spoofing, and flag changes. ⚓Supply Chain & Market Impacts: What disrupted trade routes mean for global freight rates, insurance premiums, and tanker capacity. ⚓Strategic Outlook: Where commercial shipping and geopolitical friction head next in the Middle East and beyond. Contact What's Going on With Shipping via: Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping Twitter: @mercoglianos Bluesky: @mercoglianos.bsky.social Facebook: @wgowshipping Email: mercoglianosal@gmail.com 00:00 – Introduction: Global Oil Flows & Maritime Tensions 02:15 – Introducing Samir Madani, Co-Founder of TankerTrackers.com 05:40 – How TankerTrackers Uses Satellite Imagery & AIS Data 10:15 – Is the Strait of Hormuz Blocked or Flowing? 16:30 – Tracking the "Dark Fleet" & Sanctions Evasion Techniques 22:45 – Ship-to-Ship (STS) Transfers & Spoofing Tactics 28:50 – Red Sea & Bab el-Mandeb: Rerouting Around Africa 34:10 – Impact on Global Freight Rates, Tanker Capacity & Insurance 39:45 –